eotlich.] SWEETWATER DISTRICT INDIANS. 55 



a most interesting subject for study. In subjoined pages their character 

 and mode of appearance will be more fully discussed. 



Two springs of petroleum occur within our district, one on the Little 

 Popo-Agie below the junction of Twin Creek, and the other near Camp 

 Brown. 



Mot springs. — The most famous hot spring we met with during the 

 season is located about two miles distant (west) from Camp Brown. It 

 is a very large one, of oval shape, about 315 feet in length and 250 feet 

 in width. Its average depth amounts to about 18 feet. As a resort for 

 rheumatics and other invalids this spring is quite famous. The high 

 temperature of its water — 108° F. — and the mineral constituents held in 

 solution appear to exert a very beneficial influence. The second hot 

 spring was found near the Beaver Canon, south of Sheep Mountain. It 

 is known as the Mot Sulphur Spring. A small basin existed there, en- 

 larged but very little by human hands, and the warm water continually 

 appeared to be bubbling up into it. Sulphuretted hydrogen gas caused 

 the bubbling and made itself decidedly noticeable in the entire vicinity. 

 We found the temperature of this spring to be 90° F. In the geological 

 report further details referring to these occurrences will be given. 



Mineralized springs. — As cold mineralized springs we may regard those 

 containing alkaline water. As this is rather the rule, however, than the 

 exception in a region so thoroughly impregnated as that where the most 

 important springs occur, there is no necessity of especially enumerating 

 them. One which might truly be called a mineralized spring was found 

 near the Hot Sulphur. Issuing from limestone strata, it contained con- 

 siderable amounts of alkali, ferric compounds, sulphur, carbonic acid, and 

 sulphuretted hydrogen gases. 



INDIANS. 



"Within our district lies a portion of the reservation ceded to the East- 

 ern bands of Shoshones and Bannocks by the treaty of July 3, 1868, 

 and June 23, 1874. While the former reserved for them an area reach- 

 ing southward nearly to Camp Stambaugh, the latter restricts their 

 southern boundary to within about 6 miles south of Camp Brown. Their 

 agency is located about 4 miles from the post. Annually the White 

 River Utes make a hunting and trading trip northward to their allies, 

 the Shoshones. They travel by what is known as the Ute trail, which 

 leads northward in the vicinity of Washakie Station and passes Trail 

 Lake. Bands of the northern hostile Indians sometimes travel up Beaver 

 Creek, and in several instances, three and four years ago, have interfered 

 with the settlers of the Popo-Agies. Seminole and the eastern end of 

 Sweetwater Hills were formerly favorite hunting-grounds, but of late 

 years the Indians, Cheyennes, Arapahoes, and Sioux have not been 

 regular in their annual expeditions to these localities. 



During the summer we met with a number of the Shoshones or Snakes. 

 They stand in tribal relationship with the Northern or White Biver Utes. 

 For a long time they have behaved very well, retaining friendship with 

 the whites and rendering efficient service in doing scouting duty to 

 military expeditions. In General Crook's last campaign they have dis- 

 tinguished themselves by their fidelity and attachment to the white men 

 commanding them. The venerable Wash-a-kie, their head chief, has been 

 a staunch friend of white men for many years. To his wise counsel and 

 the influence he exerts over the bands composing the Shoshone tribe is 

 due, in a great measure, the friendly footing which has been maintained 

 between them and the neighboring white settlers. 



In physical appearance and dress the Shoshones seem to be superior 



